2024 IES Minnesota Regional

Steve Simon is Minnesota’s 22nd Secretary of State. He was sworn into office on January 5, 2015, and as Minnesota’s chief elections administrator pledged in his inaugural address to “work with anyone, of any political affiliation, from any part of our state” to protect, defend, and strengthen the right to vote in Minnesota.

Brian McDonald is the district director of the SBA’s Minnesota District Office. In this role, he manages the strategic efforts and daily operations of SBA’s small business support throughout the state. Prior, he served as SBA’s Minnesota deputy district director from 2017-2020.

Ying Sa was born in Beijing, China, immigrated to Canada before relocating to the United States. She started Community CPA in 1998. The firm now has three branches, and has received many awards for excellence. Ying is a published author of Appointment with Ying at 8am on starting a business, and is releasing her newest book on growing a business.

As the Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business, Diane is a resource for economic development and small business. Her observations and insights on business have been published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Finance and Commerce and Minnesota Business Magazine, and she was the recipient of the Progress Minnesota Award.

Emma Kasiga is a finance professional with a vast expertise in community, business development, as well as access to capital. Her passion for working with her community, and her ability to speak for those with no voice is undeniable. She worked with non-profit lenders (CDFIs) and state government (MN DEED) before she joined ONB in 2023. Empowerment Program is 1st of its kind in the market, and Emma leads the effort in their Minnesota market.

June Cheng helps foreign investors and Chinese and American companies achieve global mobility, with the focus on EB‑5 and other investment-based immigration, employment-based immigration, and immigration service in global relocation matters. A native of China, June works closely with Chinese clients in U.S. immigration matters, including assisting Chinese investors in EB‑5 investment-based immigration and serving Chinese companies in intra-company transfer visas. 

Tina works collaboratively with clients to help protect their intellectual property assets and grow their IP portfolios through strategic planning of their current and future goals. She has experience handling and prosecuting patent applications within large patent portfolios, including global patent prosecution experience in over 15 countries.

Yana practices what she preaches; she tested and lived through her business first before starting. Yana is a certified international life coach and psychologist, Ukrainian at heart, and first-generation American. As the only entrepreneur in the family, and with the ability to speak another language, she created her practice after traveling thousands of miles from home, moving to the US with one suitcase and a backpack. She helps entrepreneurs, decluttering their headspace and organizing their heart space.

Dr. Sneha Singh is a social entrepreneur with 15+ years’ experience in socio-economic growth. Her area of expertise is training & development, strategic planning, and she is passionate about protecting income and financial future of immigrants and marginalized communities. Max Umanzor is her colleague, who will be co-presenting on the topic. Max has 15+ years’ experience in the financial industry and he has helped businesses build strong retirement income strategy to provide peace of mind.